clique

American

[kleek, klik] / klik, klɪk /

noun

a small, exclusive group of people; coterie; set.

verb (used without object)

cliqued, cliquing

Informal. to form, or associate in, a clique.

clique British

/ klɪk, kliːk /

noun

a small, exclusive group of friends or associates

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See circle, ring ¹.

Other Word Forms

cliqueless adjective
cliquey adjective
cliquish adjective
cliquishly adverb
cliquishness noun
cliquism noun
cliquy adjective
subclique noun

Etymology

Origin of clique

1705–15; < French, apparently metaphorical use of Middle French clique latch, or noun derivative of cliquer to make noise, resound, imitative word parallel to click ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Our clique comes storming down the mall food court in that classic slow-motion strut, letting us know right away what we’re in for.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

So they focus on the people, who are quite the colorful clique of keglers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Miller was popular in the sense that she was part of a clique and had social status, but her former classmates said that popularity shouldn’t be confused with being well liked.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

The only member of the clique of hyperscalers to authorize new buybacks this year has been Alphabet, which said back in April that it would purchase up to $70 billion.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

He had a couple of good friends, but he avoided becoming part of any one clique at school.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023